The excavation of burial M89 at Tiesan Road at the Yinxu Site in Anyang, Henan

A significant archaeological discovery at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Yin Xu, located in Anyang, Henan, has shed light on the craft production of the Shang Dynasty. The excavation of burial M89, dating to Phase II of the Yinxu Period, revealed a high-status individual likely involved in jade production and management. This is the first such burial identified at the site, providing crucial insights into the organization and specialization of jade workshops during this period. The grave goods included a bronze gu-goblet with an inscribed jade scepter, indicating the occupant's role as a petty aristocrat overseeing jade craftsmanship. Additionally, the presence of semi-finished jade products, castoffs, and tools suggests localized jade workshops nearby.

(Ed.). (2018). The excavation of burial M89 at Tiesan Road at the Yinxu Site in Anyang, Henan. Chinese Archaeology, 18(1), 89–100. https://doi.org/10.1515/char-2018-0009